Becoming Jane: My Thoughts After Watching this Movie

I am fond of watching classical movies especially when set in the countryside and other historical sites. Becoming Jane is one of the movies that really captured so much of my emotions that it took me days to moved on.

The movie Becoming Jane is a non-fiction movie. It's a biographical film of the renowned English novelist, Jane Austen. If you're a fan of her, you should watch this movie. One of her famous novels are Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility. Honestly, I am not into romance movies and novels. But it altered my perception after I saw the movie Becoming Jane.

I haven't read any of her novels yet but I am planning to. It must be a hard-bound novel because I realize the experience is way different when reading the physical copy of a novels rather than reading an ebook. Well, let me introduce you to the main cast of the movie Becoming Jane. Anne Hathaway really encouraged me in the first place to watch this movie because she's my favourite Hollywood actress and I like her accent. I must say that she is the perfect role to portray Jane Austen, due to how her eyes can convey so much emotions as if you were reading a novel directly from her soul. Next, let's talk about the leading man. Damn. I have to prepare myself for this crushing feeling. James McAvoy is very, very charming. His eyes are really captivating and the way he talks, how eloquent. And his hairstyle and outfit show me a dream man. And most of all, this one is what makes his character in the movie as Tom Lefroy so appealing, is the sense of humour!

Have you met someone who complements your personality? Because I did mine years ago. When you are on a different side of track together but when you are with each other, it feels like a perfect combination. That's how I felt when watching this movie, it reminded me of those long-gone romantic years! In this movie, Jane is home-educated but she obtained formal education from a boarding school when she was 11 after that, she never had formal education again. On the other hand, Tom Lefroy had an outstanding academic record at Trinity College Dublin where he studied law. They are on different worlds together, Jane lost in her own world and Tom on his wanderings.

Tom Lefroy: If you wish to practice the art of fiction, to be the equal of a masculine author, experience is vital.

Jane Austen: I see. And what qualifies you to offer this advice?

Tom Lefroy: I know more of the world.

Jane Austen: A great deal more, I gather.

Tom Lefroy: Enough to know that your horizons must be... widened.

I really love this part of their conversation. It is challenging yet I see the two becoming tense with each other. It may sounds like, Tom, is trying to show that men knows better because in the old times women are only bound to do household chores and nothing more. But I believe it's not what he was trying to tell. He was right though. Experience is the best teacher and in order to write something realistically, you must have experience it to know what it exactly feels like. Jane has been in their town most of her life and she is content writing on her notes and socializing with a very few people. What she has seen is only the place she lives but never seen what the whole world is. Which is what Tom was trying to defend.

He handed Jane a book he had written based on the historical happenings from where he travelled and the war. Jane Austen learned something from reading his novel, while, she also suggested he add more emotions to how his character will appear. You see? They complement each other. He knows more of the history and she knows more of the emotions. Isn't it a perfect pair?

Jane Austen's Greatest Love at the Same Time- Her the One That Got Away.

I have to slow down from writing this, as this is the most heartbreaking part of the movie. When you truly love someone but the fate is not with you. Tom, tried to asked his uncle if he could have Jane by his side while he was still studying under his support but he refused it. So Jane left and went home. But a year after that, Tom returned to her town and offered her to run away with him.

What value will there be in life, if we are not together?

And so she did run away with him, packing her things. But Jane realized it was ALL WRONG! She have read the letter sent by his siblings about thanking him for sharing his allowance from his uncle. Jane realized that she is going to destroy Tom's life. He was the one supporting his 11 siblings from the money allowance he got from his uncle who provided him with his education. She can't destroy his career and his siblings who only rely on him. They have nothing to go but him.

And that's the saddest part. Jane left Tom.

I hate the ending and I'm never happy about how it ends. Take note, I am going to spoil the ending. They met again in several years later..where they were in their middle age. And you'd be surprised by how their fate turned. Tom, married a rich woman and had 7 children while Jane..oh I don't know how to even say it. But unfortunately, Jane never married and she died early at the age of 41.

In the movie, the ending shows how remorseful Tom was, because Jane chose to part ways with her. He was willing to let go of what he had in life if it meant being with her for the rest of his life, but Jane genuinely loved him and she had to let go, so he could live his dream life and be the torch of light to his siblings. There's also a rumour and in the movie it was written that Tom named one of his daughters after her, he named his daughter; Jane Lefroy.

For me, this is what true love is. It is unselfish and it is genuine. Young love is indeed a true love because it transcends all the emotions any human being can felt in his lifetime.

Fun fact: Jane Austen's novels are mostly inspired by her real-life love story. Especially the Pride & Prejudice, they say the novel hurts a lot and is very inspired by Jane Austen's experience in life.

Have you already met your love of life in this lifetime? Perhaps, during your younghood years?

Published: 23 July 2024

Thanks for reading!